Eye Diseases in German Shepherds

German Shepherds are among the most popular breeds of dog for both companionship and use as a service dog, according to the American Kennel Club. But owners should be aware of the various health conditions that affect the breed, including a number of eye diseases such as juvenile cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, Pannus and multifocal retinal dysplasia.

  1. Juvenile Cataracts

    • A cataract causes an opaque coating to form on the lens, capsule or entire eye structure. Large cataracts can impair vision, eventually leading to blindness, while smaller non-progressive cataracts cause no loss of vision at all. German Shepherds are prone to developing juvenile cataracts, sometimes called developmental cataracts, which generally form during the first four years of life. Juvenile cataracts may be re-absorbed as the dog ages, or they can be surgically removed if your veterinarian determines they will severely impair vision.

    Progressive Retinal Atrophy

    • Progressive retinal atrophy causes the retinal cells of the eye to deteriorate, eventually leading to blindness. Progressive retinal atrophy is actually an umbrella term for a number of ocular diseases including early onset photoreceptor dysplasias, later onset photoreceptor degeneration, retinal pigmented epithelium dystrophy and progressive rod-cone degeneration. There is no cure for progressive retinal atrophy; afflicted dogs will eventually suffer a complete loss of vision.

    Pannus

    • Pannus is an auto-immune disease that afflicts the conjunctiva and cornea of both eyes. According to "German Shepherd Dog Help," the breed accounts for roughly 90% of all diagnosed cases. Though not painful, Pannus causes opaque spots to form on the cornea and will lead to blindness if left untreated. Pannus has no cure in German Shepherds, but the condition can be treated with medication or surgery if diagnosed in its early stages.

    Multifocal Retinal Dysplasia

    • Multifocal retinal dysplasia is one of two forms of retinal dysplasia that occur in canines. Multifocal retinal dysplasia is a mild form of retinal dysplasia, with total retinal dysplasia being more severe and damaging. Multifocal retinal dysplasia is most often an inherited condition, though it can also be caused by viral infections or trauma. Retinal dysplasia is not a progressive condition and German Shepherd puppies born with the malformation will exhibit the most severe form of the disease. Signs of multifocal retinal dysplasia include retinal folds and gray patches of coloration on the retina of the eye.